US: Residual flight disruptions likely at airports in Washington, DC, area after officials pause departures to airports in region June 25

Event

Residual flight delays and cancellations are likely at airports in the Washington, DC, area over the coming hours after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) temporarily halted departures to airports in the region June 25. The purpose of the move was to allow authorities to make repairs to a communications system at the Potomac Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) facility. FAA officials notably issued ground stops at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI), Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), and Richmond International Airport (RIC) amid the flight-departure pause.

While flights from the West Coast, Midwest, and Florida to airports in the Washington, DC, area had resumed as of around 18:49, any passenger backlogs that developed during the pause may raise the likelihood of residual flight disruptions.

Advice

Contact your airline to confirm flight status if booked to travel via an airport in the Washington, DC, area June 25. Do not check out of accommodations until onward travel is confirmed. Consider making alternative arrangements for time-sensitive travel if necessary.